Saskatoon Young Naturalists

 

(Updated March 4, 2010)

 

 

Welcome to the Saskatoon Young Naturalists. Young Naturalists’ programs are open to all ages and offer nature-based activities designed for families. Content is geared towards the 5 to 11 year old range.  We operate on the belief that children’s (and parents’) learning is enhanced when the parents/guardians are present.  Parent/Guardian supervision is required on all Young Naturalists’ programs.

 

The Saskatoon Young Naturalists began in 1968.  Click here for our history.

 

Young Naturalists is a joint program with the Saskatoon Nature Society and the Saskatoon Zoo Society.  Thanks to funding from the Saskatoon Nature Society most programs are free of charge unless otherwise noted. 

 

To register or for more information call 975-3042 (This is an answering machine which is checked frequently throughout the day) or send an e-mail to saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com

Space is limited on most programs so advanced registration is required. 

Registration is taken on a first-come basis. 

You can register at any time.

 

Due to enrolment restrictions the Young Naturalists’ Program is unable to accommodate groups (the program is designed for families).  If you have a special interest group (such a scouts, 4H, school group, etc) please call the Saskatoon Zoo Society at 975-3042 to arrange a special program for your group.  There may be a charge for this programming.

 

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Young Naturalists’ Great Horned Owl Ecology

Date: Sunday, March 14

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Meet: Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo

Affinity Learning Centre (formerly the Education Centre)

Cost: Free (donations accepted)

Meet “Spirt” (Spirit) the one-eyed Great Horned Owl and discover how this Saskatchewan bird of prey survives our cold winters.  What do owls eat?  It is easy to find out, just check out their pellets!  What’s an owl pellet? Better attend this program and dissect your own owl pellet to find out!

Space is limited.

Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

 

Young Naturalists’ Bird House Workshop

Date: Sunday, March 28, 2010

Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Meet: Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo

Affinity Learning Centre (formerly the Education Centre)

Cost: $20.00 / child.  Members: $10.00 /  child (registration required).

Spring is just around the corner so it is time to prepare for the bluebirds and Tree swallows return from their

winter migration.  These cavity-nesting birds will be looking for suitable nesting sites. 

We can help them out by building a birdhouse.  Bring a hammer and make your own birdhouse. 

Space is limited in this workshop so registration is required. 

Call 975-3042 to register or for more information. 

 

Young Naturalists’ Crocus Field Trip

Date: Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Meet: Peturrson Ravine parking lot. (On Central Avenue approximately 100m north of Somers Road).

Cost: Free (please call 975-3042 to register).

Celebrate Earth Day with a walk on the native prairie by Peturrson’s Ravine. 

We’ll be looking for the Prairie Crocus.  The flowers are only here for a short time,

so come out and observe these beautiful flowers. 

Call 975-3042 for more information or to register.

 

Young Naturalists’ Great Horned Owl Field Trip

Date: To Be Announced (mid-May) -depends on the owls !

Time: TBA (weekday evening: 2 hours)

Meet: TBA

Cost: Free (Donations always accepted.  Registration is required). 

We will join naturalists’ Martin Stoffel as he collects scientific information from wild Great Horned Owls. 

Space is limited.  Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

 

Young Naturalists’ Pike Lake Field Trip

Date: Saturday, May 1st 2010

Time: 12:00 p.m.

Meet: Pike Lake Provincial Park (main parking lot).

Cost: Free (registration is required).

Join the Young Naturalists for lunch around the campfire followed by

nature activities including our search for wild dragons, damsels, fairies, and frogs*.  

Call 975-3042 for more details or to register. (*Dragonflies, damselflies, fairy shrimp, and frogs).

 

Young Naturalists’ Bluebird Trail

Date:  early June.  Dates to be determined.  Most likely the week of June  7-12, 2010.

Meet:  Avenue W and 22nd Street (behind the Esso on the NW corner).

Cost:  Free (registration is required).

Join naturalist Greg Fenty as he works with bluebirds and Tree swallows

along the Bluebird Trail. 

Space is limited. 

Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

 

Young Naturalists’ Northern Saw-whet Owl Field Trip  

Date: To Be Announced (weekday evening in mid-October)

Time: 7:00 p.m. - 10:00ish

Meet: Tourist Information Centre on Ave. C North.  (Avenue C and 47th Street).

Cost:  Free (Donations  are appreciated).

Join naturalists Martin Stoffel as he collects scientific information from migrating Saw-whet Owls. 

Saw-whets are an extremely cute owl so this program fills up quickly. 

Enrolment is limited.  Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

 

Young Naturalists’ Sandhill Crane Field Trip

Date: Saturday, October 2nd , 2010

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Meet: Buena Vista School parking lot on 6th Street.  Buena Vista School is located at Lorne Avenue and 6th Street.

Cost: Free. (please call 975-3042 to register).

A field trip to Chief Whitecap Park south of Saskatoon to look for migrating Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife.

We’ll have binoculars and a spotting scope along to demonstrate how these tools can improve your

wildlife watching experience.   Parent Advisory: we will be walking along the shoreline of the

South Saskatchewan River on this field trip.

 

Young Naturalists’ Bird feeder Workshop

Date: PD day in November

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Meet: Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo

Affinity Learning Centre (formerly the Education Centre)

Cost: $12.00 / child.  Members : $8.00 / child (registration required).

Learn about winter bird watching with a bird feeder.  Bring a hammer and build your

own bird feeder to take home. 

Enrolment is limited. 

Call 975-3042 to register or for more information.

Nut Allergy Alert: the materials used in this program have been in contact with peanuts,

peanut butter, sunflower seeds, and other seeds and tree nuts. 

This program is not suitable for persons with severe contact (not ingestion) nut allergies.

 

Young Naturalists’ Paper Making Workshop

Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Meet: Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo.

Affinity Learning Centre (formerly the Education Centre)

Cost: $3.00 /  child.  Members: $2.00 / child (registration required)

Learn how paper is made and create your very own paper from recycled materials. 

It’s a great project for gift tags and cards.  Wear old clothes as this program can get messy! 

Call 975-3042 for more information or to register.

 

 

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